THE RISE OF RAP AND ITS POLITICAL AND SOCIAL IMPORTANCE.

Hip Hop culture was born in the Bronx in New York in the early 70s, and even if it was born from poverty, and from the degradation this musical genre becomes a point of help in the American social context, a stimulus for young people to gather and socialize , an impulse to emerge, create and stand out. The phenomenon soon spread to other countries. Rap is one of the most popular musical genres among young people. In recent years it has gained increasing attention in the media and has given fame to the Italian rappers who have made it a way to denounce hardships and social problems. As the Italian rap market is growing, record labels have plunged into the phenomenon. It is very important to understand the target of passionate consumers of rap music, a large audience of very young boys who admire and follow the rapper of the heart, a symbol of contrast and contestation, a voice that rises and expresses what they would like to say. This is why rap is successful and affirms itself in the world music scene. The language of rap is certainly the proponent of the success of this musical genre; young people identify with it, and the exchange that is created between them and the rappers is strong, almost a bond that runs along the tracks of language; for this reason, all other music has less impact on the very young audience, as if the various musical genres were divided into a sort of generational, as well as social, scale. It is not a rejection of other music, but it is simply a “not” to recognize oneself. We find ourselves analyzing a subculture rich in precise rituals as a means of communication and expression of values ​​and belonging to the reference culture. The followers of hip-hop culture have developed a language that uses specific terms such as “crew”, and of a whole series of words that form a unique slang, which is the trademark that identifies the belonging “hip hop. Often, however, the language used is often “raw”, “dirty”. At first listening the rap songs give the impression of little value, of junk music; but by analyzing more deeply and listening carefully it is possible to grasp the commitment and the message, a sort of global cry that rises from the crowd of young people who daily live the hardships of our age both passively and actively, poverty in families, poor communication with society, misunderstandings, loneliness, cultural and emotional deficiencies, depression, the tunnel of drugs or alcohol. This complex and ramified generational unease leads to identification with rap, which “understands”, which “listens”, becomes a sort of “family”, the rapper takes on the figure that is missing in other contexts and gives security. Finally young feel to be part of something, they have a point of reference, they are no longer alone.